The moment Seraphina stepped into the hallway, whispers followed her like shadows.
"Did you see that?"
"She took down Jarek—clean."
"No way she's untrained."
Cam walked beside her, practically bouncing. "You're a damn legend already."
"I'm not," she said, voice low.
"You just made House Vale proud. That guy's been undefeated since last term."
Ahead, Lucien waited by the lockers, arms crossed. His gaze found hers, unreadable as always. He didn't speak—not right away.
"You've fought before," he said finally.
She blinked. "No. I haven't."
Lucien's eyes narrowed slightly, studying her like a puzzle with missing pieces. "Then your body has."
Before she could answer, Jarek stormed down the hall, blood still at the corner of his lip, fury in his eyes.
"You got lucky," he spat. "Next time, you won't even stand."
Cam stepped between them. "Back off, musclehead. You lost—deal with it."
Seraphina didn't flinch. "If that was luck, maybe you should pray for some next time."
A few students nearby laughed.
Jarek growled something under his breath and stormed off. Cam let out a low whistle.
"Didn't know you had a bite."
"I didn't either," she muttered.
Lucien still hadn't moved. "They'll come for you now," he said. "Other students. Higher ranks. They'll want to see if it was a fluke."
"Was it?" she asked quietly.
He didn't answer.
"Trial's over," Cam said, slapping her on the shoulder. "You survived. And now half the school knows your name. You should celebrate."
She didn't feel like celebrating. Her hands were still shaking.
"I just need to breathe," she said.
She walked ahead alone, trying to clear her thoughts. She didn't understand how she'd moved like that. Didn't understand why it felt so natural. Or why Lucien's gaze lingered longer than before.
Behind her, the whispers grew louder.
"Seraphina Nightborn," someone said.
And for the first time... she wasn't just some new girl in the crowd.
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